A classic coffee is still among the most popular coffees around. The selection, blending and roasting of the best quality beans is the secret behind a great cup. As with wine, there are many different sensory experiences from a smooth, mild and light bodied coffee through to dark, intense and full bodied.

When tasting a great cup of coffee, three main characteristics are important: The coffee’s roast strength, its body and the acidity.

A cappuccino is made of a third of espresso and two thirds of steamed milk, with a subtle layer of milk froth on top. Served traditionally in a large porcelain cup, the milk froth acts as an insulator which allows the drink below to stay hotter for longer and holds in the coffee aroma. It differs from a Latte Macchiato in that it is prepared with much less steamed milk and, therefore, has a stronger coffee taste. Normal serving size is between 150 ml and 180 ml.

Cappuccino represents the most popular breakfast hot-drink in Italy, where it is drunk in bars along with a cornetto (Italian for “croissant”).

Espresso is a short coffee brewed by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee. As a result of the short drink length, all the flavours of a typical cup of coffee are more intense in an espresso. For this reason, espresso is also used as foundation element for other drinks such as cappuccino, latte macchiato and mocha.

Espressos have a serving size that is usually between 40-60 ml. They have a thicker body than a traditional coffee and a velvety layer of tiny golden brown bubbles on top – called crema – which keeps the most volatile aromas locked in.

Latte Macchiato literally means ‘stained milk’ in Italian. The name refers to the method of preparation where the white milk gets stained by the addition of a shot of espresso.

A typical Latte Macchiato is made by adding a shot of freshly made Espresso to a long glass filled with two third of hot milk and steamed milk froth. In this way, a striking three layer effect comes to life which makes this beverage absolutely irresistible to the eyes and the taste. A Latte Macchiato generally has a longer drink size than cappuccino, around 250-280 ml per serving.

A Café Crema is effectively a long espresso with a lighter intensity that makes it suitable for drinking at any time of the day. It is topped by a fine, velvety layer of tiny golden brown bubbles on top – called crema –.which preserves its taste and aroma by locking in all the most volatile aromas. Drink lengths are variable between 100 & 200 ml depending on the coffee.

Café Moka is an indulgent alternative to the Latte Macchiato, for chocolate-lovers. Cocoa syrup or cocoa powder is added to a shot of espresso, giving the beverage a rich intense coffee taste and a chocolatey finish. Café Moka is perfect when topped with chocolate powder and drunk hot. Usual serving size is about 150-200 ml.